First base will be a guaranteed target for the New York Yankees this offseason. The club has decided to move on from Anthony Rizzo, sending the veteran first baseman into the free-agent market. The Yankees declined Rizzo’s $17 million option, buying him out at $6 million.
Rizzo’s career has been somewhat of a roller coaster, specifically in New York. Rizzo completed his 14th season in Major League Baseball and is currently 35 years of age. He spent 10 seasons with the Chicago Cubs before being dealt to the Yankees in 2021.
Rizzo’s prime days were in the mid-2010s when he enjoyed back-to-back-to-back All-Star appearances in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Is age catching up with him? The first baseman seems to be slowing down from an offensive standpoint and has also struggled with injuries.
Rizzo suffered a neck and elbow injury back in 2023, followed by a concussion. In 2024, the lefty suffered a fractured arm and fractured finger. Between age shadowing his future and injuries piling up, is this the decline for the veteran first baseman?
Anthony Rizzo Becomes Free Agent After Yankees Decline Option
Rizzo’s 2024 Season
The left-handed first-baseman only played in 92 games this season, limited by injury. He had 375 plate appearances and 337 at-bats, slashing .228/.301/.305. He had an OPS of .637 and 0.2 WAR. Rizzo recorded 77 hits, eight home runs, 35 RBIs, and collected 113 total bases. He struck out 65 times and walked 27 times.
The veteran’s absence obviously hurt his muscle memory, repetition, and ability to get into games. June 16th was his last game before injury, and he did not return until September 1st.
Rizzo’s 2024 Postseason Totals
Upon his return in September, Rizzo recorded a .375 average in eight at-bats. He was getting on base and moving base traffic to put the team in competitive spots.
Rizzo later got hurt again after he was hit by a pitch, resulting in fractured fingers and limiting his availability for the postseason. He did not play in the American League Division Series but did return for the American League Championship Series.
The veteran first baseman played in 10 games in the 2024 postseason. His postseason slashes were .267/.421/.300. In 30 at-bats, he recorded eight hits, two runs, no RBIs, 10 strikeouts, six walks, two intentional walks, and nine total bases.
Rizzo’s weak postseason display was a direct result of his season. His offensive production was little to none, and this reflected a lot of the in-game offensive team results.
Let’s not forget about the ball hit to first base in the World Series where Rizzo made no effort to get to the bag, while Gerrit Cole failed to cover first base.
Veteran First Baseman Will No Longer Factor into Yankees Lineup
After a heartbreaking loss in the World Series, the Yankees will be skeptical about returning with the same starting nine. The weaker parts of the order and defense will be improved, and it’s apparent that Rizzo won’t be a part of that.
First base in the Bronx will need extreme change. The positive side to this is that the Yankees have options, including developing and bringing prospect Ben Rice up to speed in the league. For reinforcement, the club could also shop for a senior first baseman with a good bat, to pave the way for Rice.
“To wear this jersey is something special that I wish every baseball player gets to feel, because it’s a different feeling wearing this jersey. I’ve loved every second of it.”
– Anthony Rizzo pic.twitter.com/bqAy14eFTf
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) October 31, 2024
Where Could Rizzo End Up in 2025?
There have been whispers about where Rizzo goes as a free agent, possibly ending up where he first flourished, the Chicago Cubs. This may be a situation where the Cubs have to make space, as they employ three first basemen on the 40-man roster.
The other option is right across the city in the borough of Queens, where the New York Mets may have a first baseman missing if Pete Alonso does not re-sign. The expectation is that the Mets will make a move to retain Alonso, but the Yankees and the Boston Red Sox will also be interested.
The Seattle Mariners are another viable option. Justin Turner was one of their first basemen, and he is now a free agent, leaving a potential vacancy in Seattle.
Photo Credit: © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
